NEW BUT NOT BETTER

- June, 2011

We sometimes assume new is better. Not always the case.

Metal-on-metal hips, were sold as a major advance over previous designs that were made of metal and plastic. The Food and Drug Administration trying to determine how many people have been injured by the devices, which shed dangerous metallic debris in the body.

As reported here, the FDA last month ordered manufacturers of all metal hips to perform emergency studies of patients in which the devices were implanted. Lawmakers are seekinga tightening of how the F.D.A. scrutinizes new implants before and after they are sold.